Category: krdo-local-news

Rob Namnoum

A defensive battle between Falcon and Rampart on Thursday night at District 20 Stadium. Falcon would edge Rampart 7-6.

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Bradley Davis

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) – This morning, KRDO13’s Bradley Davis is learning the intricacies of the shake-making business with a vendor on the opening day of the Colorado State Fair.

Pueblo County business owner Andrew Diaz takes us behind the counter of his “Shiver and Shake” mobile operation as he takes on the Colorado State Fair for the first time.

I feel like I have my food truck here just so I can get in to try the other food trucks,” Diaz said. “I’ve seen all kinds of deep-fried foods. Some mac and cheese looks really good, so “I’m excited to try it all. It’s going to be a great weekend. I’ll put on a few pounds, but it’s all fun for the state fair. No calories count at the state fair. That’s what I’ve been told.”

Opening day at the state fair starts at 11 a.m. The KRDO13 team will be live from the fairgrounds to bring you all of the fun.

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Celeste Springer

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) — Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster emergency to support response efforts in the fallout of the Davis Mortuary case in Pueblo, according to a press release.

“The declaration also encourages Pueblo County to seek and other counties to provide support for the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office operations and the ongoing mitigation and investigation of Davis Mortuary,” read the press release.

This week, investigators descended on Davis Mortuary following what was supposed to be a routine inspection. The mortuary is owned by Brian Cotter, who is also the Pueblo County Coroner.

According to Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) documents, inspectors noted a foul smell inside the mortuary. Later, they say they found a door hidden by a cardboard display. When they went to move the display, Cotter reportedly asked them not to go inside. Inspectors didn’t listen to his request, instead finding bodies in various states of decay, according to documents.

Cotter reportedly told investigators that some of the bodies had been in the room for roughly 15 years.

READ MORE: Pueblo County Coroner accused of hiding bodies in secret room at his privately-owned funeral home

On Friday, Governor Jared Polis called for Cotter’s resignation as county coroner.

“I’m sickened for the families of the loved ones who are impacted by this unacceptable misconduct. It is clear public trust has been lost and Mr. Cotter must resign as the Pueblo County Coroner immediately. He should be investigated and if warranted, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No one should ever have to wonder if their loved one is being taken care of with dignity and respect after they’ve passed, and Mr. Cotter must be held to account for his actions,” said Governor Jared Polis in a release. 

To read all of our reporting on this case, click here.

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Celeste Springer

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — In a press conference Friday, the Pueblo County Sheriff said that no single public official, not even the governor, can remove Colorado coroners from office.

It means that there is a waiting game to see if Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter will resign. Governor Polis called for his resignation on Friday morning.

While a recall election could be possible, it would take quite some time for the issue to head to voters, if it were enacted.

This week, investigators descended on Davis Mortuary following what was supposed to be a routine inspection. The mortuary is privately owned by Cotter.

According to Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) documents, inspectors noted a foul smell inside the mortuary. Later, they say they found a door hidden by a cardboard display. When they went to move the display, Cotter reportedly asked them not to go inside. Inspectors didn’t listen to his request, instead finding bodies in various states of decay, according to documents.

Cotter reportedly told investigators that some of the bodies had been in the room for roughly 15 years. On Friday, the CBI said that due to the state of some of the remains, some will require DNA analysis.

READ MORE: Pueblo County Coroner accused of hiding bodies in secret room at his privately-owned funeral home

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said that the El Paso and Fremont County coroner’s offices will take over the day-to-day operations in Pueblo County.

A victim information form has been set up by the CBI. If you entrusted a loved one to Davis Mortuary, you can click here.

The district attorney’s office stressed that this process will be slow. They will not bring charges until the investigation is complete.

“It’s a frustratingly long process, but it’s necessary,” said District Attorney Kala Beauvais. “We only have one chance at prosecution, and we have to do it right.”

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Scott Harrison

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — As the mid-1700s nursery rhyme explains: Simple Simon met a pieman, going to the fair.

But Simon didn’t have to contend with driving, parking, or traffic congestion — and Colorado State Fair (CSF) attendees don’t have to, either, if they take advantage of the free shuttle service.

Drivers going to the fair will pay $15 to park on CSF-managed lots, and private property owners around the fairgrounds likely will pay even more.

Officials stated that the city’s transit office has collaborated with the CSF to offer a shuttle service for the past ten years, and has been free of cost for the past five years.

This year, a temporary, fair-themed bus stop has been set up outside the downtown parking garage near the police station, featuring an awning for shade, as well as bleacher seating and portable restrooms for added comfort.

For the first time — primarily for out-of-town fairgoers — the shuttle will include a brief historical tour along Union Avenue.

“We’ve previously not been allowed to have buses on Union Avenue,” said Chuck Perez, the city’s transit supervisor. “So, this year, going down Union is a big deal for us. It’s going to be great for the out-of-town visitors to see Union. We’ll also use Orman Avenue, which has some history in Pueblo. The Orman Mansion, for example.”

The shuttle ride from downtown will take approximately 15 minutes, and buses will run between downtown and Gate 5 on the Prairie Avenue side of the fairgrounds every 30 minutes.

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Bart Bedsole

More than a dozen health code violations landed a popular Briargate restaurant at the bottom of the health inspection score list last week.

The inspector found a total of 14 violations at the Good Company Bar at North Union and Briargate Blvd.

Among the health inspector’s findings: 

There was a buildup of carbon on the oven 

Refried beans, cooked pasta, and chicken wings were not at the proper temperature 

There were flies throughout the establishment 

The floors and walls of the kitchen were visibly soiled, with a heavy buildup of grease 

(Click here for the full report. Note that some of the sections include more than 1 violation.)

When KRDO13 stopped by earlier this week, the owner was out, but over the phone, he claimed the restaurant scored a 92 out of 100.

The health department later confirmed to KRDO13 that the violations added up to 92 points lost on the risk index scale, and it was not a score of 92 out of 100.

When it comes to restaurant inspections, losing 0-49 points is passing, losing 50-109 points requires a re-inspection, and losing 110 points or more means a temporary closure. 

Regardless, the owner told KRDO13 he didn’t think the violations were that bad. 

Good Company has yet to be re-inspected. 

OTHER FAILING SCORES

Marriott Colorado Springs – 5580 Tech Center Dr – 10 violations – (also failed August 5)

Mariscos Altamar 2 – 675 S Circle Dr – 8 violations 

Lucky Dragon Restaurant – 402 W Fillmore St – 6 violations 

Dat’s Italian – 2514 W Colorado Ave – 5 violations 

HIGH SCORES

Pizza Hut – 4331 Centennial Blvd 

Del Taco – 1645 Space Center Dr 

Taco Bell – 502 Garden of the Gods Rd 

Taco Bell – 3029 W Colorado Ave 

Starving – 720 Manitou Ave  

Carl’s Jr. – 425 Garden of the Gods Rd 

Panaderia Norma – 2367 N Academy Blvd 

Tacos El Amigo 3 – 8005 Fountain Mesa 

Detour Lounge – 4080 Clear View Frontage Rd 

Trails End Taproom – 2925 W Colorado Ave 

Dairy Queen – 315 W Fillmore St 

Coati Upstairs – 514 S Tejon St 

Rain Sushi – 750 Citadel Dr 

Mother Muff’s – 2432 W Colorado Ave 

Blue Moose Tavern – 10530 Ute Pass Ave 

The Blue Moose Tavern is located in the heart of Green Mountain Falls next to the pond, and remains the longstanding gathering place for those who live in the area. 

“People come in all the time saying, ‘I was here 40 years ago and this was over there and that was over here,’” says owner Cat Guidry, who bought the establishment seven years ago.

Guidry points out that the food is pretty memorable, too. 

“We have been voted best pizza in the area for 7 or 8 years in a row.  I’ve kind of lost count now,” she says. 

She credits the high score to her kitchen manager’s many years of experience in the industry, and her health inspector, whom she considers a partner in helping to provide guidance on proper food safety. 

Guidry says that although the Blue Moose Tavern has the feel of a hangout for locals, visitors are very welcome and appreciated. 

Keep an eye out for the KRDO13 Restaurant Roundup awards to know the kitchen is clean. 

For a complete list of all recent inspections, click here. 

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Celeste Springer

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) confirms that one of their officers has been involved in a shooting off Branding Iron Circle.

CSPD says around 2:48 p.m., an officer with the Violent Offender Fugitive Task Force and Tactical Unit responded to the 1100 block of Branding Iron Circle, in search of a wanted suspect.

Police say when they located the suspect inside his vehicle, they asked him to step out, but the suspect refused. CSPD says police on scene noticed the suspect had a gun on him, which he later used, according to police, to shoot at least one round at officers.

CSPD says following this, one officer fired at least one round, hitting the suspect.

According to the police, they performed medical care until paramedics arrived, who declared the suspect deceased.

Per Colorado State Law, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will be taking over the investigation. CSPD says they will release an event briefing video in 21 days.

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Rob Namnoum

The Vista Ridge football team defeats Columbine 24-14 in week zero.

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Rob Namnoum

The Pine Creek football team opened up the season against Valor Christian on Friday night. The Eagles would fall 36-14.

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